JP3190674B2 - Glass sheet forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass sheet forming apparatus (20) for continuously forming a heated glass sheet includes a roller conveyor (30) defined by a plurality of interposed first and second conveyor rolls (32,34). The first conveyor rolls (32) are mounted in a plane defined by X and Y axes for conveying the glass sheet. The second conveyor rolls (34) include independent first and second roll portions (36,38). At least one of the roll portions (36) is movable in the plane to establish rotation of the roll portion (36) with respect to a Z direction. The second conveyor rolls (34) are mounted in a plane defined by X' axis. A first actuator (44) moves the movable roll portions (36) so that part of the movable rolls (36) are elevated above the X' axis and above the first conveyor rolls (32) whereby the roller conveyor (30) becomes non-planar and a heated glass sheet is formed as a result of the non-planar conveyor shape and upward action of the second conveyor rolls (34).

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming and cooling a heated glass sheet.

BACKGROUND ART French Patent No. 2,221,409 discloses a glass sheet forming apparatus for hanging down a heated glass sheet. In this patent, the device has interposed upper and lower horizontal parallel rollers. Upper roller is staggered 2
Arranged in rows, one row extends beyond the centerline of the apparatus from each side of the apparatus for receiving and transporting the heated glass sheet. The upper roller is free around one end and can pivot about a fixed pivot point at the other end and cooperates with the lower horizontal roller. The heated glass sheet received by the upper roller is bent downward by tilting the upper roller downward with respect to the lower horizontal roller,
As a result, the glass sheet is sag-bent to a desired shape.

According to the molding of the glass sheet by such an apparatus,
If the roll is tilted downward, the glass sheet will hang along the upper roll, damaging the glass sheet. Moreover,
The fixed pivot point at the end of the upper roller limits the shape that can be formed on the heated glass sheet.

In our earlier U.S. Pat.No. 4,586,946, we disclose a glass sheet bending apparatus with a main conveyor having straight rollers at a fixed high height, which allows for droop bending with such an apparatus. And related issues are resolved. Between the straight rollers, an immovable downwardly curved forming bar is interposed at a second low height. When the straight roller is lowered, a press means provided above the first height is operated to bend the heated glass sheet against the curved lower forming bar.

This device, which requires vertical movement of the main conveyor and pressing means, is designed to symmetrically bend glass sheets. Such an apparatus cannot bend a heated glass sheet into an asymmetrically bent shape. Because U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,545,951, 4,226,6
This is because, according to the roll technology as disclosed in No. 08 and 4,311,509, one part of the roll cannot have a different curvature than the other part of the same roll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glass sheet forming apparatus for continuously forming a heated glass sheet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved glass sheet forming apparatus that forms using less equipment movement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved glass sheet forming apparatus that holds a glass sheet as a whole during forming.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved glass sheet forming apparatus that is adjustable to form an asymmetric curved curve in a glass sheet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved glass sheet forming apparatus provided with a conveyor roll of infinitely variable shape.

In carrying out the above and other objects of the present invention, an improved forming apparatus for forming a heated glass sheet has a roller conveyor constituted by a plurality of first conveyor rolls and a plurality of second conveyor rolls. The first conveyor roll and the second conveyor roll are interposed between each other. The first conveyor roll is provided on a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis, and is at right angles to the plane, that is, for transporting the glass sheet in the transport direction in the Z axis direction. Also, the second conveyor roll is used to form a heated glass sheet.

Each second conveyor roll has independent first and second roll portions. Each roll section has an inner end and an outer end. At least one of the roll parts
First, it can move in a plane to achieve rotation of the roll portion about the Z axis. The second conveyor roll is X '
It is provided on a plane defined by an axis and is used to convey the glass sheet in the Z-axis direction.

The first actuator is operative to move the movable roll portion such that a portion of the movable roll is raised above the X 'axis and the first conveyor roll. Due to this rotation, the roller conveyor moves the first roll portion of the second conveyor roll in a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis.
It is non-planar because it is rotated opposite the first conveyor roll, ie has a curved shape. As a result of the curved conveyor shape, a heated glass sheet is formed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for rotating a movable roller portion and holding a heated glass sheet on a roller conveyor when lifting the glass sheet.
It has a forming mechanism provided above the roller conveyor.

Preferably, the second roll portion is also movable in a plane defined by the X and Y axes to rotate about the Z axis. A second actuator is provided for moving the second roll portion.

In one embodiment, the first roll portion and the second roll portion are straight. In another embodiment, the first and second roll portions are curved. In a third embodiment, the first roll portion is straight, while the second roll portion is curved. Further, in the fourth embodiment, the first roll portion has an adjustable shape. In the fifth embodiment, both the first roll portion and the second roll portion have an adjustable shape.

Each adjustable form roller portion includes a spine-shaped portion having a plurality of interconnecting members. The spine portion has a flexible connecting member that attaches the interconnecting member, which can be tensioned and released to interconnect a compressive force when tension is applied thereto. In addition to the members, these interconnecting members are held in a fixed shape, and when the tension of the connecting members is released, the shapes are released for adjustment. An exterior portion surrounds the interconnecting member and defines a support surface. The tubular member provided on the exterior part is rotatable on the exterior part, acts as a conveyor for conveying the glass sheet, and also acts as a means for forming the glass sheet.

Preferably, a coating of a high heat resistant, non-abrasive, flexible and non-abrasive material is provided on the tubular member. This coating comes into contact with the heated glass sheet. The outer part has high heat resistance and low coefficient of friction. Preferably, the tubular member is made of spring steel and the connecting member is a steel cable.

Each interconnect member has an end having a concave shape and an end having a generally corresponding convex shape to engage with the concave end of the adjacent interconnect member and to maximize the area of the engagement surface. Having. Such interconnecting members are manufactured from high heat resistant materials having a high coefficient of friction.

A frame having a first conveyor roll support and a second conveyor roll support mounts the first and second conveyor rolls, respectively. The first conveyor roll support fixedly mounts the first conveyor roll.
The second conveyor roll support supports the second conveyor roll so as to be movably adjustable in the X and Y planes.
It can move relative to the conveyor roll support. The second conveyor roll support can move separately along the X axis and can rotate in the X, Y plane. A first actuator for the second conveyor roll support moves the second conveyor roll support along the X 'axis. Preferably, the first actuator for the second conveyor roll support is a rack and pinion assembly.

The second actuator for the second conveyor roll support,
The second conveyor roll is rotated in the X, Y plane. Preferably, the second actuator for the second conveyor roll support is a chain driven assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a forming mechanism is provided above the roller conveyor. X for the second conveyor roll,
When rotated in the Y plane, an engaging member, preferably a wheel or roller, engages in rolling contact with the glass sheet, holding the heated glass sheet on a roller conveyor, thereby moving the glass sheet upward. By limiting the shape, it is possible to make the glass sheet into a shape that is difficult to form. The forming mechanism is mounted on the first conveyor roll support and is adjustably movable with respect to the first conveyor roll support. Preferably, the forming mechanism has two spaced-apart opposing stop members extending longitudinally along the transport direction, each stop member having a plurality of engagement members and being adjustably spaced from one another. It can be moved vertically and vertically to accommodate different shapes of the roller conveyor. The forming mechanism actuator moves the forming mechanism. Preferably, the forming mechanism actuator is a worm gear assembly.

Preferably, the controller controls the bending speed of the glass sheet by controlling the upward movement of the second conveyor roll. Preferably, the controller is
It is a programmable logic controller.

In another configuration of the forming section, an elongated upper roller is provided between the stop members above the first conveyor roll to assist in holding the glass sheet on the roller conveyor during bending. In another configuration, a heat shield is provided above the first conveyor roll and extends between the stop members. The heat shield reflects heat transferred from the heated glass sheet downward and maintains the temperature of the heated glass sheet. Obviously, the features of the upper roller and the features of the heat shield can be combined to obtain the advantages of both.

A compressed gas cooling device positioned adjacent the forming section supplies the compressed gas and establishes a temperature gradient between the glass sheet surface and the core. Preferably, the compressed gas cooling device corresponds to the shape of the bent glass sheet, and X,
A template is provided in the Y-plane and has a plurality of elongated tubes removably mounted on the template for supplying cooling gas. Subsequent blower gas coolers have a cooling gas delivery surface with orifices for delivering cooling gas at low pressure to both sides of the bent glass sheet to maintain the temperature gradient set in the compressed gas cooler. And a lower plenum.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a loading section, a furnace section, a forming section, a compressed gas cooling section, a blower gas cooling section and a discharge section,
1 is a schematic diagram of a glass sheet forming apparatus configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the molded part of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of first and second conveyor rolls.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the compressed gas cooling portion of FIG. 1 showing the template mounted cooling gas pipe.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the blower gas cooling portion of FIG. 1, showing the upper and lower plenums.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an adjustable formable forming roller for use in a forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the forming roller of FIG. 5 showing a spine configuration.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the forming roller of FIG.

FIGS. 8 to 13 are schematic diagrams of a first conveyor roll for forming a glass sheet and second conveyor rolls of various shapes.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a glass sheet forming apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, which forms a heated glass sheet;
It is then used to cool. The forming apparatus 20 is shown to include a loading table 22 and a glass sheet heating furnace 24 preceding the forming apparatus, and a take-out table 26 provided thereafter. As will be described in further detail below, the forming apparatus 20 includes means for forming the heated glass sheet into various curved shapes, including asymmetrical curved shapes, and then cooling the formed glass sheet as needed. .

With further reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the glass sheet forming apparatus 20 has a forming section 28 shown in detail in FIG. The formed part is a roller conveyor composed of a plurality of first conveyor rolls 32 and a plurality of second conveyor rolls 34.
Has 30. The first and second conveyor rolls 32, 34
Are interposed between each other. The first conveyor roll 32 is provided on a plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis, and is for transporting the glass sheet in a transport direction perpendicular to the plane and defined by the Z direction. Each second conveyor roll 34 has an independent first roll portion 36 and a second roll portion 38 (see FIGS. 8-12). Each roll part
36, 38 have an inner end 40 and an outer end 42, in which case the inside and the outside are relative to the molding device 20.

At least one of the roll portions 36, 38 is movable in the X, Y plane to rotate the roll portion about the Z axis. The second conveyor roll 34 is provided on a plane defined by the X 'axis, and transports the glass sheet in the Z direction.

The first actuator 44 moves the movable roll portions 36, 38 to raise a portion of the movable roll above the X 'axis and above the first conveyor roll 32, thereby causing the first roll 44 to move.
When the roll portion 36 is rotated in the X, Y plane opposite the first conveyor roll 32, the roller conveyor 30 becomes non-planar. Thus, the heated glass sheet is formed as a result of its heated state, the non-planar conveyor shape and the upward action of the second conveyor roll.

With further reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the forming section 28 has a forming mechanism 46 provided above the roller conveyor 30. This forming mechanism 46 holds the heated glass sheet on a roller conveyor when rotating the second conveyor roll 34 in the X, Y plane to obtain a non-planar shape that allows the heated glass sheet to be bent. For this purpose, there is provided an engaging member 48 that engages with the glass sheet in a rolling contact state. Thus, the forming mechanism 46 restricts the upward movement of the glass sheet, thereby making it difficult to form the glass sheet. Preferably, the engagement member is a plurality of idler wheels or disks. Preferably,
The engagement member 48 has two stop members 50 which are elongated attachment members for attaching a plurality of idler wheels or disks. These stop members 50 extend in the transport direction, that is, the Z-axis direction, and are adjustable, spaced, and vertically movable.

Preferably, the second roll portion 38 is also movable in the X, Y plane to achieve rotation about the Z axis. The second actuator 52 rotates the movable roll portion 38 in the same manner as the first actuator 44. The first and second actuators 44, 52 are roller chain driven assemblies.

The movable roll portions 36, 38 are provided on the rotating frame 54. As shown in FIG. 1, two pivot frames 54 are provided, one supporting a plurality of first roll portions 36 and the other mounting a second roll portion 38. The computer controlled motor / gear reducer 56 is operable to operate the movement of a chain 58 that rotates the rotating frame 54. The rotating frame 54 and the roller attached to the frame 54
Chain load to balance with some of the weight of 36, 38
An air cylinder 60 is provided on the actuators 44, 52 to cause the air cylinder 58 to generate. Each of the pivot frames 54 can be individually actuated so that the roller portions 36, 38 can be actuated individually, and thus be used for asymmetric bending of the glass sheet.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 13, various combinations of roll shapes can be used to obtain variously bent glass sheet shapes. FIGS. 8 to 10 show a straight first roll portion 36 and a second rotatable rotatably mounted at different lateral positions relative to the first conveyor roll 32 to form differently shaped forming surfaces for the glass sheet. Shows the use of roll portion 38. 11 and 12 show the use of curved first roll portion 36 and second roll portion 38. FIG. FIG. 13 illustrates the use of a combination of straight roll portions and curved roll portions 36,38.
In FIG. 11, the roll portions 36, 38 have a symmetrically curved shape, and in FIG. 12, the roll portions 36, 38 have a curved shape that varies along the length of the curved roll portion. The curved roll portions 36, 38 can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The ability to combine differently shaped roll portions 36, 38 by combining laterally adjustable spacing of the center of rotation in the X 'and Y planes of the roll portions to obtain various forming surface shapes for glass sheet forming. be able to.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, there are shown roll portions 36, 38 having an adjustable shape. Such roll portions 36, 38 include a spine-shaped portion 70 having a plurality of interconnecting members 72. Also, the spine-shaped portion 70 also has a flexible connecting member 74 for attaching the interconnecting member 72. Outer portion 76 surrounds interconnecting member 72 and defines a support surface 78. A tubular member 80 is provided on the exterior part 76, and the tubular member 80 is rotatable on the exterior part. Connecting member
74 is to fix the shape in the roll portions 36, 38,
It is a steel cable capable of maintaining tension so that the interconnecting members 72 are integrated. This tension is applied to the rolls 36, 38
Is typically releasable to form the desired shape on the template, whereupon the tension is reset to hold the interconnect member in a fixed position.

Preferably, the tubular member 80 is provided with a coating 82 having high heat resistance and being non-abrasive, flexible and non-abrasive. KELVAR material is a mortgage material for the cladding.

The exterior portion 76 has high heat resistance and a low coefficient of friction. Teflon material under the trade name is preferred for the exterior portion 76. The tubular member 80 is made of spring steel.

As shown in FIG. 7, the interconnect member 72 has a concave end 84 and a generally corresponding convex end 86 for engaging the concave end of an adjacent interconnect member. . The shape of the ends 84, 86 maximizes the area of the engagement surface. Preferably, the interconnect member 72 is manufactured from a high temperature resistant material having a high coefficient of friction, such as steel.

Referring again to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the frame 88 has a first conveyor roll support 90 and a second conveyor roll support 92. The first conveyor roll 32 is fixedly attached to a first conveyor roll support 90. The second conveyor roll is adjustably attached to a second conveyor roll support 92 via a rotating frame 54. Second
The conveyor roll support 92 is a first conveyor roll support.
It can move in the X, Y plane with respect to 90. The second conveyor roll support 92 is separately movable along the X 'axis and, as described above, is rotatable in the X, Y plane. A second conveyor roll support first actuator 94 moves the second conveyor roll support 92 along the X 'axis. The second conveyor roll support second actuator 94 is a rack and pinion assembly. In cooperation with the rack and pinion assembly 94 and the adjustable shape of the roll sections 36, 38, the roll sections 36, 38 of the second conveyor roll 34
The first and second actuators 44, 52, which rotate the glass sheet in the X 'and Y planes, provide an infinite variety of forming surfaces for forming the glass sheet. Actuator 94 is operated during bending of the glass sheet to form the first roll portion.
The rotating frame 54 is moved outward to eliminate the relative movement between 36 and the second roll portion 38 and the glass sheet and to apply tension to the glass sheet.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 and FIGS.
46 is attached to the first conveyor roll support 90, and
It is adjustably movable with respect to the first conveyor roll support 90 and has a forming mechanism actuator 96. Preferably, the forming mechanism actuator 96 is a worm gear assembly, as seen in FIG. A controller 98 in communication with the gear reducer 56 controls the bending speed as described above. Preferably, controller 98 is an industrial PC, sold by COMARK Corp., referred to as a 386 industrial workstation.

FIG. 3 shows a first glass sheet cooling section 100 for setting a temperature gradient between the glass sheet surface and the core immediately after bending. This first glass sheet cooling part 100 is
It is a compressed gas cooling device having a high heat transfer coefficient. The apparatus 100 has a template 102 provided in the X, Y plane and corresponding to the shape of a bent glass sheet.

A plurality of elongated tubes 104 for supplying compressed cooling gas are removably attached to the template 102. These elongate tubes 104 have a small cross-section and are spaced apart to facilitate the evacuation of cooling gas. These tubes 104 are removably attached to the template 102 so that the template 102 has a shape, and are in close proximity and equidistant to the forming surface of the glass sheet to facilitate cooling. Tubes 104 are provided on those surfaces and have nozzles extending from those surfaces.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second glass sheet cooling section 110 that provides secondary cooling of the bent glass sheet. The second glass sheet cooling section 110 is provided with the first glass sheet cooling section 1.
At 00, the temperature gradient set between the glass sheet surface and the core is maintained, and the glass sheet is further cooled.
The second glass sheet cooling section 110 includes orifices for delivering cooling gas to both sides of the bent glass sheet at a low pressure ranging between 5 inches and 50.8 cm (20 inches) of water column. An upper plenum 112 and a lower plenum 114 having a cooled cooling gas delivery surface 116.

With further reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.
In another configuration of 28, an elongated upper roller 120 is provided between the stop members 50 above the first conveyor roll 32 to assist in holding the glass sheet on the roller conveyor 30 during bending. (See No. 10). In FIG. 11, a heat shield 122 is provided above the first conveyor roll 32 and extends between the stop members 50. This heat shield 122 reflects the heat transmitted from the heated glass sheet downward,
Maintain the temperature of the heated glass sheet. Upper roller 12
It will be apparent that the zero and heat shield 122 can be combined in one embodiment to obtain the benefits of both.

Having described in detail the best embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
Various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims will occur.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (56) References US Patent 4,773,925 (US, A) French Patent Application Publication No. 2221,409 (FR, A1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C03B 23 / 023-23/033

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A glass sheet forming apparatus for forming a heated glass sheet, comprising a forming station, wherein the forming station has a roller conveyor constituted by a plurality of first conveyor rolls and a plurality of second conveyor rolls. And the first
A conveyor roll and a second conveyor roll are interposed between each other, each said first conveyor roll is provided on a corresponding vertical plane for conveying the glass sheet in a conveying direction in a horizontal plane, and each said second conveyor roll is also a glass sheet. Are provided on each vertical plane for transporting the rolls in a horizontal transport direction, and each of the second conveyor rolls has independent first and second roll portions, each of the roll portions having an inner end and an outer end. Wherein at least one of the first roll portion and the second roll portion is vertically movable to achieve movement of the at least one roll portion relative to a horizontal plane; When the one first roll portion of the second conveyor roll is moved toward the first conveyor roll, the first roll portion and the second The said one of the roll portions, so that the roller conveyor is non-planar,
A heated glass having a first actuator for moving one of a first roll portion and a second roll portion so that a portion of the one roll portion can be raised above the first conveyor roll; A glass sheet forming apparatus, wherein the sheet is formed as a result of the non-planar conveyor shape and the upward action of the second conveyor roll. 2. The glass sheet according to claim 1, wherein the glass sheet is vertically movable to achieve movement with respect to the other of the first roll portion and the second roll portion or a horizontal plane. Molding equipment. 3. The first roll portion has an adjustable shape and includes a spine-shaped portion having a plurality of interconnecting members, the spine portion also having a flexible connection for mounting the interconnecting members. A member comprising: an exterior portion surrounding the interconnecting member, the exterior portion constituting a support surface; and a tubular member provided on the exterior portion and rotatable thereon. The glass sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The glass as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting member is capable of maintaining a tension so as to press the interconnecting member together to fix the shape of the roll portion. Sheet forming equipment. 5. Each interconnecting member has an end having a concave shape;
5. The end of claim 4, having an end with a generally corresponding convex shape that engages with the concave end of the adjacent interconnecting member and maximizes the area of the engagement surface. Glass sheet forming equipment. 6. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a frame having a first conveyor roll support and a second conveyor roll support, wherein the first conveyor roll support fixedly attaches the first conveyor roll and supports the second conveyor roll support. The glass sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body adjustably attaches the first roll portion and the second roll portion. 7. The second conveyor roll support is independently movable inward and outward with respect to a transport direction, and is rotatable with respect to a horizontal direction. Having a second conveyor roll support first actuator for moving the roll support inward and outward;
The glass sheet forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upper roller provided above said first conveyor roll to assist in holding a glass sheet on said roller conveyor. The glass sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a forming mechanism provided above said roller conveyor, said forming mechanism having two stopper members, and said stopper members restrict upward movement of the glass sheet. A heated glass sheet is maintained on the roller conveyor when at least one of the first and second roll portions moves in a vertical direction so that a difficult-to-form shape can be formed in the glass sheet. An elongated attachment member extending in the transport direction to provide a plurality of idler wheels for rotatingly engaging the glass sheet.
The glass sheet forming apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 10. 10. A compressed gas cooling unit further comprising a template provided on a vertical plane and corresponding to a shape of a bent glass sheet, further comprising:
A plurality of elongated tubes for supplying a cooling gas, the tubes having a small cross section and being spaced to facilitate the evacuation of the cooling gas, the tubes taking the shape of the template; And removably attached to the template so as to be close to and equidistant with the molding surface of the glass sheet so as to facilitate cooling. The glass sheet forming apparatus according to claim 1.